It feels like Donna Hill and I have grown up together.
I met her for the first time at a bookstore in Green Acres Mall in New York about 25 years ago when she was doing a book signing with the late Gwynne Forster. I was a 20-something-year-old kid with big dreams of not only editing books, but maybe someday writing them.
A few years later, I had the honor of serving as Donna’s editor when I worked at Kensington Publishing as the consulting editor for BET Books/Arabesque. I’ve known for years she is a gifted author and an awesome person. Donna’s visit to Black Fiction Addiction is a full-circle moment for me. Today, I’m happy to share my interview with Donna Hill about her latest release, The Other Sister.
Tell me about your latest book.
Hi Chandra, thanks so much for this. Well, my newest baby is entitled The Other Sister, which is being published by Kensington Publishing. It is the sequel to A House Divided, and pretty much picks up where that novel left off. In this sequel the story centers around Kimberly Maitland Graham caught in the aftermath of the unearthing of a long-time family secret. The novel touches on the roots of family and what it means, the insidiousness of racism, the power elite and of course romance. The Other Sister is a multi-layered novel and each of the characters shine a light on the vagaries of relationships, society and culture; seen from several angles.
Why did you decide to write it?
After finishing A House Divided, there was definitely room in the narrative that allowed me to open that door again, especially as it related to the relationship between Zoie (my main character in A House Divided) and Kimberly. There were avenues to explore and questions that could be answered. And most of all, the call from readers to find out more! LOL
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
Hmm, I like each of the characters for difference reasons and for the purpose that they serve in the story. I think “one” of my favorite characters is Aunt Hyacinth. She is quirky, funny and because she has “memory” issues, the things she says are priceless.
What was the hardest part about writing the story?
I think the hardest part was keeping the details straight. Much of the backstory that sparks the current drama took place generations ago, in different locations. I needed to check and double check that the locations and visuals were accurate, and that prior actions matched current outcomes.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would be the title and why?
Haha!! Secrets.
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I am very shy. I still panic before doing a speaking engagement.
Tell me about a book that changed your life and why.
That would go back quite a few decades. Wuthering Heights. It was one of the first sweeping novels that I read as a pre-teen. It set the tone for me for the dark, haunted hero, romance that is tested, great use of language and strong secondary characters. I read the book dozens of times, along with everything I could get my hands on about Greek mythology and all the gods. And I read all the Agatha Christie novels, determined to find out the end. Those set me up for always adding a bit of mystery, or crime or uncovering stuff mixed in with the romance. I spent a lot of time in my local library growing up. Back then, there weren’t a heck of a lot of books by us, about us for entertainment. As an adult reader one book that stuck with me is A Mercy by Toni Morrison. (Sula is also a favorite) and the one non-fiction work that truly moved me is The Warmth of Other Suns. Oh my goodness.
What’s next for you?
I am finishing up a novel that is part of my Grants of DC series, that features the youngest Grant brother—Montgomery Grant, that will come under Harlequin’s Desire banner. And I am totally psyched about another upcoming novel Confessions in B Flat. It is a multi-media undertaking. A novel that takes place during the height of the 1960s, tapping into the events of the times wrapped around a relationship that should have never been—but is. That novel is scheduled for release in November 2020.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thank you so much, Chandra, for all that you continue to do by providing a platform for authors. Big thanks to all the readers that have been so faithful to me and my work for 30 years. (Can you imagine?) Most of all I wish health and safety for our families, friends and our community.
Use my affiliate link to purchase your copy of The Other Sister.
To learn more about Donna Hill, visit her website or connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.
Great interview Donna and Chandra, Read both books enjoyed them both. WOW! if you ladies have known each other 25 years ,then I have known you both 20+ years. Thank you both for the good reads and the friendship.
I absolutely enjoyed A House Divided and to be able to read The Other Sister has me wanting so much more, because I loved these characters.
Great interview